[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 44 (Friday, March 14, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H1706]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ARMY MEDIC MONICA BROWN, TEENAGE IDOL

  (Mr. POE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, Army specialist and medic Monica Brown was on 
patrol in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan when a roadside bomb tore 
through a convoy of Humvees. As Humvees burned and shrapnel filled the 
air, Monica ran through insurgent gunfire and mortars to protect 
wounded comrades. With total disregard for her safety, she used her 
body to shield five injured soldiers as she administered aid and then 
dragged each of them 100 meters away to safety.
  Monica Brown is from Lake Jackson, Texas, and she's 19 years of age. 
A teenager, and yet she has already shown more courage, selflessness, 
and honor than many show in their entire lifetime. Amelia Earhart said, 
``Courage is the price that life requires for granting peace.''
  This month Monica Brown will be awarded the Silver Star, the Nation's 
third highest medal for valor for that courage she showed. She is only 
the second woman since World War II to receive this medal.
  She said that she didn't think of anything except taking care of her 
fellow soldiers and protecting them from the attack. It was instinctive 
for her.
  We thank her for her service. She is a great Texan and a true 
American teenage idol.
  And that's just the way it is.

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